Compare towns
South Hampton vs Franconia vs East Kingston vs Nelson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
South Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
Franconia has the shortest commute (20 min average).
East Kingston has the most homeowners (96.4%).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | South Hampton | Franconia | East Kingston | Nelson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 984 |
1,060 |
2,311Highest |
648Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.9% NH: +4.6% |
+3.6% NH: +4.6% |
-13.7%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
55.6±7Highest 28% above NH |
51.7±8.9 19% above NH |
42.3±11.7Lowest about the NH average |
| Franconia and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.3%±5.8 NH: 18.2% |
15.2%±5.5Lowest NH: 18.2% |
16.1%±2.1 NH: 18.2% |
27.5%±6.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
| Nelson and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
36.6%±6.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
27.1%±5.9 NH: 20.1% |
24.8%±2 NH: 20.1% |
| Franconia and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.4% NH: 40.6% |
57.9% NH: 40.6% |
46.7%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
61.1%Highest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
5%±5.4Highest NH: 6% |
4.8%±1.7 NH: 6% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest NH: 6% |
| Franconia and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $152,500±$44kHighest 54% above NH |
$87,292±$28kLowest 12% below NH |
$138,194±$38k 40% above NH |
$99,792±$23k about the NH average |
| South Hampton and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $661,100±$45kHighest 64% above NH |
$530,300±$96k 32% above NH |
$575,500±$56k 43% above NH |
$340,900±$49kLowest 15% below NH |
| South Hampton and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
$1,281±$278 14% below NH |
— | $1,203±$243Lowest 19% below NH |
| South Hampton and Franconia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,109 37% above NH |
$7,451 12% above NH |
$9,604Highest 44% above NH |
$5,575Lowest 16% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30%±40.8 NH: 48.2% |
73.2%±74.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
0%±100Lowest NH: 48.2% |
40%±68.8 NH: 48.2% |
| Franconia and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3% NH: 7.2% |
11.4% NH: 7.2% |
14.3%Highest NH: 7.2% |
1.4%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% NH: 72.8% |
83.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
96.4%Highest NH: 72.8% |
90.2% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1981 2 yrs newer than NH |
1994Highest 15 yrs newer than NH |
1975Lowest 4 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 6% above NH |
20 minLowest 25% below NH |
32 minHighest 19% above NH |
24 min 9% below NH |
| Work from home | 17%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
11.9%±5.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
24.1%±5.4 NH: 16.8% |
31.5%±8Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Nelson and East Kingston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | South Hampton School District | Lafayette Regional School District | East Kingston School District | Nelson School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | 9 photos → | None yet |
NH average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.